Parma man sues city for arresting him over parody Facebook page

October 11, 2017 at 7:01 PM EST - Updated August 16 at 1:03 AM

PARMA, OH (WOIO) - CLEVELAND (AP) - A man charged with and acquitted of a felony for creating a Facebook page that parodied a suburban Cleveland police department is suing the city, saying it violated his right to free speech.

Anthony Novak sued the city of Parma and three officers Tuesday. Authorities say he created a Facebook page in March 2016 that displayed a name similar to Parma's police department and posted items suggesting police were performing free abortions for teenagers. The page also suggested it would be illegal to help the homeless for three months.

The 28-year-old Novak was charged with a felony count of disrupting public services and acquitted after trial in August 2016.

The lawsuit seeks financial compensation, legal fees and an injunction against Parma police.

Police didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

This story has been corrected to show Novak is 28, not 29.

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